FeralSam

I've taken the day off work as I've got some gastro-thingamajig. Never get crook but I suppose we all get a bit off-colour now and then. I'm trying for a little sleep, cup of tea & very plain meal, more sleep then hopefully will be OK for a quick 1/2hr of training with the bloody hoola-hoop then off to class. Hey DD thanks, I just realised I've got to get dogfood too! BTW You could short-cut the system and just hang the clothes on the line and let the rain wash them. :D Then tie a long rope on hypo-pup with other end to corner of hills hoist. Throw ball/toy and have the pup chase it around the clothesline, spinning the clothes dry for you. Hang in there girl! Sam

Bugger! I didn't know about the breakup until I read it here! Must have been discussed on the first training night which I missed. Being as I don't know anyone I'd appreciate getting an address & directions for the breakup. Are we all bringing a plate, etc. Suppose it'll be discussed and sorted out tomorrow. YB, as for the dam, I expect Heidi to totally fail with the hoop but if she's not too distracted by friendly dogs wanting to play she will go MENTAL in the dam! She lives for the water. :p :D Sam

Hey Hesapandabear, thanks for posting that website for herbal treatment. I've just had a look and it's great. It really covers a lot for both humans and animals. My 9mth pup reacts terribly to Wandering Jew and to lesser extent, seeding grasses. He's been twice to the vet's for Cortisone. New Year's Eve's heat (43') saw him cooling off in a previously unused part of the garden. It had Wandering Jew in the corner (a section I missed, Doofer!). He broke out in the worst rash with armpits so deeply red it looked almost like birthmarks. He lived with a cuff-collar for 2 days until the vet could see him on 2nd Jan (too many more life-threatening cases). I mutilated half an aloe-vera plant and used up 3 tubes of Aloveen. He couldn't munch himself but still could scratch & scratch he did! I slept little those 2 nights for all that scratching! I was at the stage of grabbing every bandage in the house and wrapping him up like a mummy! His rash ran from his armpits, all over his chest, belly and across his inner thighs. He would lie down and drag himself over the grass trying to get relief from the itchiness. The vet gave him a shot & supplied Cortisone tablets with a few extra should it happen again. It did the trick and the rash was down by more than half within 24hrs. The annoying thing though is that the dog is reactive to that bloody weed and you can't find every little piece and rip it out or poison it. Also, there's always the risk of coming across it somewhere other than home. I'm going to try the remedy on that website to build his immunity rather than always trying to supress the symptons. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has tried to do this with their dogs and what level of success they've obtained? Sam

Hey YB, You know how we swapped tricks last week? Well I borrowed my neighbour's daughter's hoola-hoop and wouldn't you know it... Heidi decided she was going to be scared of the damn thing! Little Matt (you know, the shy, insecure one?) decided stepping through the hoop was fun and even started with little jumps! I rubbed 2 brain cells together trying to figure out how to get around Heidi's shyness of the hoop. I threw the hoop away and asked her to retrieve it. That did the trick! We are now carrying it quite well & stepping through semi-confidently but I'm not sure we'll be at the jumping stage by Wednesday. If all else fails, Matt will have to be her proxy! Sam

Hey that's a fantastic idea! I'm going straight to the toy shop tomorrow to get some. Actually I just had an idea which I'll try... tie the snake to my fishing rod and make it a little more realistic! This'll be interesting! (much prefer it over letting a lizard latch onto my dogs' nose!) Jildee, so sorry to hear of your sad news. What a terrible thing to have happen, let alone on Xmas eve. You might want to start with the plastic snakes too. Sam

I feed my 2 with roo mince but I prefer to cook it partially. Sometimes they have it as plain mince, other times it's topped up with 'vegies a la season'. They get fed roo every 2-3 days alternated with dry dog food, chicken wingettes or necks. They had the ultimate canine BarBQ last week when my 2 friends didn't show up for a barbie (bloody men could have phoned!) I was that ticked off as I'd come home early from work to prepare everything. Not to be disappointed I still fired up the barbie, the dogs had their roo mince cooked on it and helped me with a tossed salad, chicken & garlic sausages and steak. Wonder what the poor people were doing. Sam

A friend recently told me she used to teach her dogs by getting one of her blue-tongued lizards (small one) to latch onto the dog's nose. She reckoned it made her dogs very savvy. It works like this: Hold your dog. Pick up the lizard and let it latch onto the dog's nose. The lizard will clamp on and hold as long as it's off the ground. Push the dog's head down so that the lizard's feet touch the ground (or provide the lizard a surface to stand on), it will then let go and scurry away. Job's done! I don't like the idea of subjecting my dogs to being bitten by a lizard, but that one off bite may well save their lives. BTW, at least we now know what to do if we ever find a lizard latched onto our dogs! Sam Editted to make sense

Hi Everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I've finally been able to hop online & try to catch up with everything. I've had my old schoolmate with her OH staying here for 10 days & it's been a bit of a whirlwind at my place. She's from Sydney and in the IT industry so with her it's always at max speed. I went from quiet, contented farmlife, so to speak, to trying juggle the Xmas madness at work, racing home to spend time & exercise with the dogs, spend time with her (boy can she talk & talk & talk) and whenever possible sneak out for a little 'quiet' time for myself. They left this morning and are boarding the plane home as I type. The heat has been a bit of a challenge for the dogs and things took a turn for the worst yesterday when Matt, my 9mth Wire-Haired Pointer nestled himself in a new spot in the garden which was covered in Wandering Jew. He's very sensitive to it and unfortunately I never spotted it growing in that corner. He now has a horribly red rash over his chest & thighs and his armpits are red raw. I bathed him thoroughly this morning and covered him with Aloveen conditioner but he is absolutely miserable. He's sitting next to Heidi (bombed out) with his head down, looking totally despondant and unhappy. He looks up at me every few minutes as if to plead for me to do something to stop his ailment. I was going to bring him on Wednesday but the way he is I think he'll take a raincheck this week. Anyway I'll post this and run off to re-coat the poor pup with cuddles & Aloveen then put one of those 'sexy' bucket-type collar-things so he can't chew himself. Hope everyone had a great new year! Sam

Well guys, how was it? Looked as if the weather cleared up at the last minute. I'm sorry I had to miss tonight's session but couldn't get my paperwork finished today so I had to take it home. I've got to get the BAS done for tomorrow. I stopped for a coffee break & to check in for reports but looks like everybody's too worn out to post! Will be there next week. Sam & Heidi

Hi everyone, We're rearing to go too! I had my dogs at the vet for a check-up (the pup has been suffering with grass rash). Heidi wrapped her lead around my legs, jumped up to cuddle the reception girl, took me off balance and placed me on the doggy weight! I know what we need to concentrate on... no jumping and no lunging on the lead! And in case that doesn't work, has anyone got a go-kart & a dog harness for sale? :cool: See you Wednesday night! (2 more sleeps!) Sam & Heidi

I know we're going off topic a little but I had to add my bit! I just splurged out and bought 'myself' a dogbath. I couldn't afford the Hydrobath with all the bells & whistles so I got just the basic model which has a drainage outlet, a clip to attach to the dog's collar & a hose with showerhead and Nylex clip-lock so you can connect to garden hose. Taking into account the costs of paying someone to come to my place (difficult on short notice too!), driving to the closest town with facilities (I'm rural), chiropractic treatment and cleaning the car or bathroom, I'm satisfied with my decision to buy one. I have 2 medium/large dogs. One of them is water mad and if she can't get to water, she'll go for the next best thing- MUD!! I've found them totally covered in the stuff.... 2 blinking eyes and 4 legs sticking out of muddy, brown blobs! Problem is, as much as they love playing in the water, you can't convince them that baths are good fun too! I used to don the old swimmers, jump in the bath and 'try' to hold them still with my legs but the buggers just won't come to the party! Tie them to the fence and they get swinging 180. At least with the dogbath they are comfortably restrained and you've suddenly got your other hand free to help out with the washing! A couple of my friends have dogs and are keen to borrow my bath (might just charge them a nominal fee to recover some of the costs!) :cool:

Thanks for the suggestion. Actually it's starting to paint a picture of decadance! Enter the day chamber: A marble floor, columns reaching up to the skies, a roman bath decorated with fresh rose petals, fragrant oils scenting the room. In the background a figure is playing the lyre as maidens dance to it's soothing charm. A dog, lying on his back supported by satin cushions is being hand-fed canine delicacies whilst a maiden anoints his body with soothing ointments! ;) Good lord, what did I put in my coffee this morning!

LabLover, thanks for your kind words. You do know me well in that my heart truly was in the right place, however it was stupid of me to act without thinking first. I think the 'feral' part of my name is starting to kick in. ;) To everyone, especially K9 Force... I apologise for my excited ignorance that made me forget protocol! As to being offended, I don't think it should come into the equation. I'm certainly not offended (embarrassed actually!). Myszka, you were wise to make the comment for it's a legitimate one and to everyone, thanks for seeing that I only meant good in my actions. BTW Anyone needing help walking their dog I strongly recommend -----> [email protected] Sam

Hey Dru, thanks for the clarification on the name. Staffy-Lover, you mentioned using the Aloe Vera plant. I've always got a few growing in my garden and I know how effective the plant's been for me but I was hesitant to use it on the dog/s. After all, when we put it on our skin we don't spend the next 15 minutes trying to lick it off! Do you know if there are any risks associated with dogs digesting the sap? I admit Aloveen is great but I'm going thru' it like whipped cream at the moment & it acts as a barrier cream whereas the Aloe plant is not only soothing but also healing. Sam

Hi Dogmad, I can relate to the problem of a dog pulling on a lead because I've been frustrated with the same thing. Extract from my email to K9: I try to stay at a brisk walk so they (2 dogs) remain focused on the walk rather than trying to sniff every inch of the road. However I'm now getting one knee playing up and a gaping sore on my knuckle where the lead has made and ripped open a blister (the lead is leather too)! K9 sent me a training sheet on teaching your dog to walk slow. I noticed a difference within 2 training sessions. I've PM'd you. Can send you a copy if you want. K9, I assume you have no objections- all credits go to you BTW. :rolleyes: Sam

I too have the experience of my 7mth GWP old suffering from a rash. The wandering dew was the initial cause and has been ripped out and mowed for now- I've got my weed killer & spray bottle ready but have to wait for dryer weather. The dog's paddock is presently seeding madly and my 2 darlings just love racing around and rolling in the grass. Unfortunately Matt's the 'delicate' one and hasn't much hair on his belly/hair to protect him unlike his woolly sister. I use Aloveen skin conditioner on him regularly. It has a very pleasant smell, somewhat like coconut and acts as a barrier cream. He loves it & happily rolls over to have it put on his tummy & armpits. He also loves the taste (which is not harmful BTW) and I have a bit of a race to get the stuff onto him before he licks it off my hands.

A few years ago my GSD had a head-on collision with my DingoX which resulted with a huge swelling just behind the eyebrow area. The vet placed a drainage tube which stuck out at the side of her head. It was constantly leaking & I had to keep telling myself that it was the pus coming out, not her brains! She would sit, leaning over with the most appreciative look on her face whilst the dingo licked around the wound, cleaning it. He would do this several times a day. Although it was distressing to see the tube sticking out of her head, watching the the gentle interaction between the two dogs was priceless! Sam

Hey YB, That sounds pretty good! Am I assuming correctly that you mean 21st of December? Will you be taking the classes indoors or outdoors? Is there some pre-requisite as to dog's age, training/obedience level or other such issues? Sam

Steve Thank you for showing us dry-noses the same level of patience you give your canines! I'm certain we are a much harder lot to train. I came with an open mind, not knowing what to expect of the 2-day seminar or whether it would infact be of any use to me. I left armed with knowledge and a far better understanding of my dogs and of my ignorance to date. My 7mth pup is a sooky, happy, bum-wiggling kind of "doofer" around me but does suffer insecurity when exposed to the unfamilar, sometimes barking and hiding behind me, trying to run away, cowering or even urinating. He does show moments of drive and confidence and I expect this training will assist him greatly. My 13mth bitch is all go and has blinkers on when she spots her 'target'. When locked in, she's totally deaf to my varied attempts to recall her. She has a lot of energy and I need to harness & channel it constructively. I started a training schedule Monday however due to work committments this week, worked the dogs about 10mins, twice daily. The dogs first appeared to take it as a bit of a game, a bit intrigued with the gadgetry and why one was restricted whilst the other was 'playing'. Within 24hrs, the bitch was rearing to go as soon as I picked up the gear! I also notice her giving me more committed attention. Julie, you're a god-send to happily host these awesome events! I know you also gain from these seminars however your accepting and welcoming manner makes everything go so smoothly. BTW tell Andrew the pond looks fantastic! I must add my compliments also on the incredible feat performed by the rescue dogs. As one of the 'lost' bodies I experienced firsthand the precision and promptness of their response upon 'discovering' me. I must add that these dogs not only are exceptional in what they do but they are actually enjoying themselves! Sunday's practical segment on Prey Drive clearly showed that with even the smallest amount of prey-drive principals applied the dogs not only 'worked' better but were far more settled, focused and happier when performing the tasks requested of them. (Same could be said of the dry-noses!) Steve, once again, Well Done and Thank You! ;) Sam

Oops! Just remembered something else. I recall as a youngster, my mother nursing a chronically sick pup that the vet suggested was kinder to euthanaise. She would soft boil an egg- the yellow still runny and the white, though liquidy had changed to a white colour. I recall her telling me me the egg was a high & fresh source of protein. That dog (terrier X) lived to 17yrs of age. I too was raised on soft-boiled eggs whenever sick, I still practice this for myself and my dogs. Sam

Hey Alibear, I've heard the same things about eggs for dogs. Something along the lines that the white is not really good for them raw but OK if cooked. Yellow- either way. I will try to re-find where I read it a post the results. At the end of the day I suppose the rule of thumb is moderation. Just like a glass of red wine is good for the heart (That's a glass girls, not the whole bottle!!) LOL Sam

Well I can't claim any fame as I'm trying to stay ahead of my dog in the learning dept. I reckon' the positve training has made her 'cocky sure' of herself, maybe I was too soft, maybe my voice wasn't firm enough. I do know one time she would not sit at heel when I asked (and she knows this command), instead she jumped up and head-butted me in the nose and I started seeing stars! A swift slap on the butt and one hell of a holler was my reaction. Now she knows when she's crossed the line and is far more responsive. Does anyone remember seeing their dog reprimanding her puppies? BTW Lablover, your dogs are OK, number one, A+ Having said that, I'm on hands and knees (or is that all paws?) begging you help me with my overstrong, over bouncy puppy. Please, please....

Add me to your list. I may have one other person interested too. Will contact them & get back to you. Sam